Durable Anti-fog Coatings for Contoured Plastic Substrates Using Nanoparticles with Tunable Size and Surface Chemistry

Currently fielded respiratory protective systems in the Joint Services General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) program degrade in visual performance capability in extreme hot and cold environments. Optical and mechanical properties of existing anti-fog coatings also diminish when subjected to cleaning/sanitization operations. To address these needs, InnoSense LLC will develop durable anti-fog coatings that enhance the performance and comfort of the warfighters in the field. For feasibility demonstration in Phase I, InnoSense LLC will design a combination of nanomaterials of different sizes, tunable surface chemistry, nanoporosity, and surface roughness into optical coatings. Two types of multifunctional antifogging properties, superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic, will be demonstrated on DOD-relevant surfaces. Coating formulations and fabrications processes will be evaluated on flexible polyurethane and hard-coated polycarbonate optical substrates with planar and non-planar geometries. Performance of the anti-fog coatings will be evaluated to establish versatility in tuning surface properties, cost-effective processing, enhanced durability, resistance to cleaning solvents, immunity to hot-humid or cold-humid conditions and UV stability. The prime contractor to the JSGPM program will evaluate the materials in Phase I and Phase II to accelerate efforts for system integration and procurement.